Robert "Bob" Franklin McAlister

Robert "Bob" Franklin McAlister, 75, of Auburn, Alabama, swung his final round of life's golf course and headed to the great clubhouse in the sky on March 6, 2024, in Jackson, Mississippi. Born on May 20, 1948, Bob was the kind of man who could charm the birds from the trees-quite literally, when you consider his fondness for whistling "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" at any given moment.

Bob, a retired business owner and roofing contractor, was known for his straight talk and genuine spirit. He never encountered a stranger, only friends he hadn't yet met. He lived his life much like he played golf: aiming for honesty, always allowing for a mulligan with friends, and occasionally pulling his swing for the sake of good company and a guaranteed next game.

A proud graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, Bob held a Bachelor's degree in accounting-a handy skill for tallying up life's little victories. He expressed his artistic side through painting, capturing the beauty of the world as he saw it, one stroke at a time.

Bob's gallery of loved ones includes his former wives, Louise Thatcher McAlister (mother of his children) and Benita Resneck White; his children, Misty Deanna Watson and Robert Michael McAlister; his adoring grandchildren, Riley Anne Watson and Caden Michael McAlister; and numerous other relatives. He joins the family that went ahead: his parents, Lee and Mary Elizabeth Franklin McAlister; his siblings, Patrick Edward McAlister, Suzanne McAlister Steed, and Paul Lee McAlister.

The family plans to tee off a private memorial service at a later date to honor Bob's life. In the spirit of Bob's generosity on and off the golf course, those wishing to make a gesture in his memory may contribute to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, an organization that was dear to his heart.

Bob's memory will be a keepsake in the hearts of those who loved him, forever treasured and displayed on the mantelpiece of their minds. His life was a masterpiece, and like any good artist, he left his signature with a flourish on everything he touched.